To son, with love
An open letter to my son
Courtesy of Poetry Playground Prompt # 11— writing poetry for someone else.
When I look at you
while you’re asleep
feelings resurface
from deep within
of love, longing & warmth
in quiet nights, there’s no wrath.
The daytime passes
shouting & screaming
time to get up & get going
turn off the TV , tidy up the place
finish your fruits, no more video games
focus on your books, what the hell !
Mom turned monster, an everyday tale.
Now when you’re in deep slumber
there’s an apology to render
for the moments
when you are all excited & chirpy
sharing all about the day that went by
Me tired, slumped & scrolling & nodding
without even looking up slightly
but in hindsight, I can imagine
the bloom of your smile
withered in no time
& you too reached out
for that remote instead.
Why don’t I get, there’ll be a day
when I’ll wait for that thrill & zeal
but then you would’ve traded it for
somber scrolling without any feel
When you’re hurt & crying
though touched, I underplay the sobbing
asking you to be strong
it’s no big deal, stop whining !
Perhaps it should dawn on me
tears won’t roll down so easily
pearls waiting to be picked up delicately
they’ll dry & reduce to a lump in the throat
You’ll grow up & gone
handling it all
on your own.
So, today as I gaze at you
while you’re asleep
your innocence so divine
I pray, you remain unscathed
in the turbulence of life
& I decide to let go of the monster
& be a mom all the while !
If the giant must return
be gentler this time.
Cause the years won’t return
to reclaim what they deserved
when wrongly I acted tough & taciturn…
